The Navy's 8-point patrol cap-- does it look better than the Army's?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 14:42:14 -0500

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 14 at 2014 4:34 PM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:34:44 -0500

Got any pictures to reference for comparison, I haven't seen exactly what you are referring to about the Navy's PC, help and old Soldier out to be able to give an honest opinion. Thanks.

Response by SSG Andrew Dydasco made Feb 14 at 2014 4:46 PM

SSG Andrew Dydasco — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:46:18 -0500

Also known as the utility cover, SFC Baber, and I think it DEFINITELY looks better.

Marine version and Army PC, to go along with 2LT Deitemeyer's Navy 8-pointer for comparison.

Response by CPT Laurie H. made Feb 14 at 2014 4:50 PM

CPT Laurie H. — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:50:05 -0500

Certainly looks less like a baseball hat than an Army PC

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 14 at 2014 6:54 PM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:54:38 -0500

I thought it was something completely different, if you had told me it was the same design as the Marine's cap, I would have known. I guess it makes sense since the Marines fall under the Department of Navy that they should have similar headgear.

Thanks for the pictures anyways.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2014 7:11 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:11:55 -0500

Some historic perspective; at least one Army unit wore a similar pointed cap during WWII. It was most famously worn by the 11th Airborne Division which was in the Pacific Theater. In this configuration, it was referred to as a "Swing Cap" after Division Commander MG Joe Swing.

Response by SSG William Patton made Feb 15 at 2014 8:49 PM

SSG William Patton — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 20:49:16 -0500

The Navy cap and Marine Corps cap both have more form and structure than the Army cap. The Army cap looks cheap in comparison.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 2:44 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 02:44:36 -0500

I kind of like the USN/USMC's cover better. The USA/USAF cover can look good if you form it. The 8-point just looks better "out-of-the-box".

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 17 at 2014 12:02 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:02:58 -0500

Well, it's hard NOT to look better than our current, shapeless lump of yuck that we wear on our heads =) Of course it's better than our cap..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 12:30 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:30:39 -0500

One of my issues with the Army Patrol Cap is it's form and appearance. Unlike a ball cap style, it does not fit naturally to the head. Unlike the 8-point style, it does not have enough of its own form to maintain shape. By regulation, it can not be formed (i.e. Ranger rolls, etc). Because of its weak form, it's appearance is never uniform. Like UCP, it seems to be a compromise cap not good at either fit or form.

What are your thoughts on a ball cap style for the combat uniform? It would be more uniform in appearance, but admittedly less formal. (last time I checked, combat wasn't a formal event). For occasions where professionalism dictates a more formal appearance (ceremonies, in public, etc) the beret is already an option, even in the combat uniform.

Response by SGT Greg Gold made Jun 7 at 2014 7:04 PM

SGT Greg Gold — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 19:04:07 -0400

The Marine Corps style cover looks good, on Marines. It is not a no maintenance piece of headgear though. It needs to be blocked and starched to keep it's unique shape, and it can't be stored in a pocket like the Army PC can if you want to keep it looking presentable.

The Army and Marines wore almost identical fatigue caps during WWII. The Army's version was the Cap, Herringbone Twill. The Marines wore the P44 HBT fatigue cap. After WWII the Marines refined the design and continue to use it. The Army went with the M1951 field cap. Except for that craptastic OG 106 hot weather cap, aka the Vietnam baseball cap, we've worn the M1951 style cap to this day.

I was an MP and we took particular pride in how we wore out PC's. It is easier to look like a bag of rags with the Army PC, but that's where the COC comes in. If your Soldiers have no pride in their appearance, they are going to look like a bag o'crap no matter what uniform you put them in.

Response by PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner made Jul 26 at 2014 9:01 PM

PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 21:01:04 -0400

Every thing Navy looks Better than the Army's hands down!! A little Bias here LOL!! I think it stand out better and looks sharper, Nice clean edges. The Army's looks more like a ball cap, not so crisp and sharp looking. Much more presentable.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 27 at 2014 10:58 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 22:58:58 -0500

Yes it does, SGT Private RallyPoint Member. Also the Marine cover looks better than the Army's!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 11:15 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:15:32 -0500

Marine Cover looks the best!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 27 at 2014 11:16 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:16:43 -0500

SGT Miller, That 8 point cap along with fatigues of Herringbone Twill (aka HBT) material w/ a 'gas flap' and metal buttons were issued to me @ Ft Ord in 1953. We young soldiers would put a piece of cardboard inside to give the cap some form. That is what we had,the cardboard helped!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 9:37 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:37:45 -0500

Nothing Navy looks better than anything Army

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Dec 29 at 2014 6:41 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:41:09 -0500

If I wanted look like a Marine, I would have joined the Marines.

If you don't like the look of the patrol cap, come up with a fix, but going to a Marine look ain't the right way.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Mar 23 at 2016 10:28 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:28:17 -0400

Q: The Navy's 8-point patrol cap-- does it look better than the Army's?

A: No.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Mar 31 at 2016 6:29 AM

SFC Marcus Belt — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 06:29:37 -0400

This is a trick question: the correct answer is "BERET".

Airborne! All the way!